Mavericks in Healthcare: Chronicles of Innovation

What if we could cut hospitalizations nearly in half—before symptoms even show up? Kelly Constable, CEO of CloudCath, is making that a reality with a breakthrough remote monitoring platform that detects infections early for dialysis patients—replacing subjective, manual checks with continuous, data-driven insight at home. In this episode, Kelly shares how CloudCath is transforming chronic kidney disease (CKD) care by enabling earlier intervention, reducing hospitalizations, and helping patients stay out of the ER while preserving quality of life. She dives into the power of real-world data, the shift toward home-based and value-driven care, and why scalable, tech-enabled solutions are essential in the face of workforce shortages. We also explore the business of healthcare innovation—from building the right board and network to commercializing medtech and scaling adoption in complex ecosystems. Topics: remote patient monitoring, chronic kidney disease (CKD), home dialysis, early infection detection, digital health innovation, AI and data in healthcare, value-based care, medtech commercialization

In this episode, Dr. Matt Lundgren—physician, researcher, and Chief Scientific Officer at Microsoft Health & Life Sciences—shares how generative AI is transforming healthcare. From ambient documentation tools like Dragon Copilot to breakthroughs in multimodal model training, he explores how innovation is closing the gap between possibility and practice. Dr. Lundgren discusses how AI is streamlining workflows, reducing burnout, and improving care. He highlights the need to better process non-textual data like imaging and genomics, and stresses the importance of accessible AI education and ethical deployment. Whether you're a clinician, technologist, or healthcare leader, this episode offers a grounded yet visionary look at the future of healthcare.

In this episode of Mavericks in Healthcare, we sit down with Dr. Todd Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Sutter Health, for a powerful conversation on transforming healthcare from the inside out. Dr. Smith shares how Sutter is addressing clinician burnout, workforce shortages, and access challenges by focusing on culture, operational partnerships, and technology that truly supports providers. He unpacks the value of dyadic leadership, the rollout of ambient AI to reduce administrative burden, and a bold plan to expand ambulatory care across Northern California. With a clear-eyed view of what keeps him up at night and what gives him hope, Dr. Smith offers a candid look at what it takes to build a system where clinicians can thrive and patients get the care they need - when and where they need it.

Nurses are essential leaders in healthcare, extending their influence far beyond management to encompass holistic care and relationship building. In this episode, Asher Perzigian and Ajay Mody welcome Joyce Fitzpatrick, the Director of the Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy and a distinguished professor at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, to discuss the critical role of nursing in today's healthcare landscape. Joyce encourages nurses to see themselves as leaders, to speak up, and to drive change. She highlights the significant impact of nurse leadership on decision-making processes, the global reach of nursing, and the integration of technology in patient care. Joyce teaches her students to introduce themselves confidently, network effectively, and use technology to enhance their leadership, aiming to position nurses in key decision-making roles to better represent patient needs. Join us to explore how nurses are shaping the future of healthcare and to discover their vital role as the heart and soul of the healthcare system.

Join hosts Asher Perzigian and Ajay Mody as they welcome Carolyn Jones, a renowned filmmaker and advocate for healthcare workers, to discuss the vital, yet often unrecognized, contributions of nurses. In this episode, Carolyn shares powerful stories from her film "American Delivery," highlighting the impact of the wholistic care nurses offer their patients. Carolyn, a brilliant storyteller, offers a unique perspective on the daily challenges and triumphs of these healthcare heroes, showcasing their technical expertise and unwavering compassion. Kicking off our Nurses Month mini series, The Heart of Healthcare, this episode is a timely reminder of the expertise and compassion that nurses bring to our communities each day. Tune in to explore the incredible work of these dedicated professionals and their crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare.

Join hosts Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian on Mavericks in Healthcare as they sit down with Alicia Graham, COO and co-founder of Claimable. Alicia shares the inspiration behind launching Claimable—a groundbreaking AI-powered platform that helps patients and providers challenge unjust healthcare denials in minutes. From her decade-long journey uniting clinical expertise, AI innovation, and patient advocacy, Alicia reveals how Claimable turns personal stories into powerful appeals, tackling crippling medical debt and amplifying shared patient experiences. Tune in to meet a true Maverick in Healthcare driving change for all.

Join your hosts, Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian, as they delve into the critical world of global health security with Dr. Nisha Marles, Global Health Security Practice Lead at RTI International. Dr. Marles provides a fascinating insider's look into the ongoing efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats worldwide. From the frontlines of outbreak response to the complex challenges of predicting and mitigating future pandemics, this episode explores: The real-world impact of global health organizations: Discover how organizations like RTI International and the WHO work to strengthen health systems and combat emerging threats. Lessons learned from COVID-19: Dr. Marles shares her insights on the successes and challenges of the global response to the pandemic, highlighting the importance of collaboration, communication, and community engagement. The looming threat of antimicrobial resistance: Explore the growing concern of AMR and the critical need for responsible antibiotic use and stewardship. The role of AI in disease surveillance: Learn how AI can be leveraged to predict disease trends and inform public health interventions. The impact of climate change on global health: Understand the complex interplay between environmental factors and emerging infectious diseases.

Tune in to learn how Natalie Davis and her organization, United States of Care, listens to diverse communities across America to identify shared healthcare values and translate those insights into impactful policy recommendations. They work to identify themes of putting patients first, addressing the challenges of achieving affordable healthcare, reframing the value-based care conversation, and addressing the role of AI in healthcare, all while working to advocate everyone has access to quality, affordable care. Natalie shares her unique journey from museum curator to healthcare advocate, discussing her experiences at CMS during the Affordable Care Act rollout and her passion for data-driven change.